Published: Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 9:08 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 9:44 a.m.

She demonstrated that belief through her determination to finish school herself, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.

Her commitment to education also was evident in the 35 years she spent in Terrebonne classrooms, sharing knowledge with countless children, her family said.

Michel, a native of Terrebonne and longtime Houma resident, retired to spend more time with family and friends. She moved to The Woodlands, Texas, a decade ago.

Michel was at her Texas home when she died April 29. She was 95.

Michel was born in Chacahoula near the Ellendale area of Houma, her daughter, Paulette Guion, said.

Michel decided early on that she wanted to go to college, a goal that led the then young woman to board a train bound for Lafayette. She earned a teaching degree in 1940 from Southwestern Louisiana.

"I am really proud of her for the determination she showed getting her education," Guion said.

Michel returned to Terrebonne to teach. Her first job was at Dularge Graded. She went on to teach at schools in Schriever, Gibson as well as Houma Elementary and Honduras School.

Guion said classrooms and students back then were very different than they are today.

"I remember visiting her classroom with 35 students in there with no teacherís aide and none of the children were misbehaving," Guion said. "Honduras School at that time had an orphanage, and we would from time to time have dinner at the orphanage."

Teaching wasnít Michelís only love. Guion said she was devoted to her husband, the late Nolan Michel of Donner, and their three children. In addition to Guion, a Texas resident, the couple had two sons, Danny Michel of Lafayette and Tommy Michel of Pineville.

Retirement, Guion said, was a fun-filled time for Michel. She loved to travel, go on bus trips with her friends and crochet blankets.

And she was a talented cook.

"She was a very good French Cajun cook," Guion said. "Apple cakes, chicken jambalaya and stuffed bell peppers were her specialties.

"She was 18 years older than I was, so she was in college when I was born," Crochet said. "One of my fondest memories was being in her house on Christmas Eve with all our family. I will miss being with her and visiting with her."

Rememberings celebrate the lives of people in Terrebonne or Lafourche parishes who have recently passed away. To suggest someone, call The Courier hotline at 857-2215 or e-mail news@houmatoday.com.

<p>HOUMA -- Evelyn Michel firmly believed that the key to success was education.</p><p>She demonstrated that belief through her determination to finish school herself, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree.</p><p>Her commitment to education also was evident in the 35 years she spent in Terrebonne classrooms, sharing knowledge with countless children, her family said.</p><p>Michel, a native of Terrebonne and longtime Houma resident, retired to spend more time with family and friends. She moved to The Woodlands, Texas, a decade ago.</p><p>Michel was at her Texas home when she died April 29. She was 95.</p><p>Michel was born in Chacahoula near the Ellendale area of Houma, her daughter, Paulette Guion, said.</p><p>Michel decided early on that she wanted to go to college, a goal that led the then young woman to board a train bound for Lafayette. She earned a teaching degree in 1940 from Southwestern Louisiana.</p><p>"I am really proud of her for the determination she showed getting her education," Guion said.</p><p>Michel returned to Terrebonne to teach. Her first job was at Dularge Graded. She went on to teach at schools in Schriever, Gibson as well as Houma Elementary and Honduras School.</p><p>Guion said classrooms and students back then were very different than they are today.</p><p>"I remember visiting her classroom with 35 students in there with no teacher’s aide and none of the children were misbehaving," Guion said. "Honduras School at that time had an orphanage, and we would from time to time have dinner at the orphanage."</p><p>Teaching wasn’t Michel’s only love. Guion said she was devoted to her husband, the late Nolan Michel of Donner, and their three children. In addition to Guion, a Texas resident, the couple had two sons, Danny Michel of Lafayette and Tommy Michel of Pineville.</p><p>Retirement, Guion said, was a fun-filled time for Michel. She loved to travel, go on bus trips with her friends and crochet blankets.</p><p>And she was a talented cook.</p><p>"She was a very good French Cajun cook," Guion said. "Apple cakes, chicken jambalaya and stuffed bell peppers were her specialties.</p><p>Michel’s sister, Jeanne Crochet, 78, of Houma, said Michel loved music.</p><p>"She was 18 years older than I was, so she was in college when I was born," Crochet said. "One of my fondest memories was being in her house on Christmas Eve with all our family. I will miss being with her and visiting with her."</p><p>Rememberings celebrate the lives of people in Terrebonne or Lafourche parishes who have recently passed away. To suggest someone, call The Courier hotline at 857-2215 or e-mail news@houmatoday.com.</p>